Atomizer



Sept. 2, 1952 R. c. SEYFORTH ATOMIZER Filed Deo. 14, 1948 INVENTOR.

POM csa/FORTH ATToE/Y Patented Sept. 2, 1952 ATOMIZER Rome C. Seyforth, Shelby, Ohio, assignor to The VShelby Metal Products Company, Shelby, Ohio,

a corporation of Ohio Application December 14, 1948, Serial No. 65,147v

6 Claims.

The present improvements relate generally toV atomizers in combination with unique cases therefor which greatly enhance the appearance and utility of the former. More specifically, the present invention has to do with atomizer-case combinations in which the atomizers are of a type such as disclosed in my prior Patents 2,176,642 and,2,189,229, dated October 17,-1939 and February 6, 1940 respectively, and co-pending application Serial No. 608,057, led July 3l, 1945, now Patent No. 2,462,563, comprising relatively reciprocable body and actuating members operative to dispense atomized liquid through a lateral discharge opening in said body member. Atomizers of the character disclosed in the aforesaid patents and application, while admirably performing the function of atomizing liquids contained therein and ideally suited for pocket and purse by reason of their compact, portable nature and general resemblance to lipstick containers, do not without the expensive polishing and plating operations now performed on the body thereof and enlargement of the bot tom of the body have the desired appeal and stability for use as a dresser and vanity ornament or accessory or for other use entailing frequent and rough handling. Furthermore, the increase in size of suchatomizers and the containers therein for colognes, insecticides, and like liquids which are sprayed more profusely than expensive perfumes and the like, renders one-hand operation thereof less convenient. Y

With respect to the above-noted aesthetic and functional features the present invention has for one of its primary objects the provision of an atomizer and case combination imparting desired ornamentation in a most economical manner without requiring highly polished and plated surfaces on the atomizer body and which renders the purse-size atomizer more desirable for dresser and vanity use Without essential modiiication in the atomizer itself. o

Another object `is to provide, an atomizer and case combination having increased stability against tipping but yet readily actuatable either by grasping the .case in the palm of the hand or by inserting two fingers of one hand through iingerholes' providedv in the case and operating the actuating member with the thumb of the same hand, such cases additionally functioning as insulators to preclude objectionable warming of the liquid and consequent discoloration and other undesirable effects on the liquid contained` l 2 atomizer body and at the same time creating an unusual ornate and pleasing frosted or luminescent effect on the metallic atomizer body therein and thereby dispensing with the necessity of providing highly polished and plated surfaces on said body.

Still another object is the provision of a combination in which the transparent or transulcent case encasing the body of an atomizer having an exposed transparent container through which the liquid therein is visible, creates unusual effects by the similar, contrasting, or harmonizing color combinations of the case, the atomizer body, and the liquid in the transparent container.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed' out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of one form of the present invention; v

Fig. 2v is a transverse cross-section view taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line 2 2, Fis. l;

Fig. 3 is a, fragmentary cross-section view illustrating a modification in the lower end of the combination;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation View partly in crosssection ,of another form of the invention; and

Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively cross-section and bottom plan views of a further modification, Fig. 5 having been taken substantially along the plane indicated by the line 5 5, Fig. 6.

In the illustrative embodiments of this invention the atomizer shown is preferably similar to that disclosed in my aforesaid application comprising, as best shown in Fig. 2, a tubular body I threaded at its opposite ends and provided with a lateral discharge opening 2 between its ends, the lower end of said body being closed as by a cap 3 threaded thereonto and the upper open end of said body having a sleeve l fixed therein carrying a downwardly facing gasket 5 located just abovev the lateral opening 2.

Reciprocable in said body l is an atomizing assembly comprisinga plunger 6 adapted when reciprocated to compress air in the lower end of said body, such compressed air passing through an opening 'l in ,said plunger into a chamber formed therein and thence yout through a lateral discharge port 9 ina direction radially outward through the lateral discharge opening 2 in said body. Threaded into the upper end of said plunger is a container III for liquid, preferably in the form of a glass bottle or vial as shown, projecting upwardly beyond the upper open end of said body I and thus serving as an actuator for said plunger 6.

Fixed to plunger 6 and leading into the mouth of said container I is one end of a tube II, preferably of capillary size, having its outer end in the form of a discharge orifice disposed laterally of port 9, in register with the lateral opening 2, and directly below gasket and normally urged into sealed engagement with said gasket as by a spring I2 compressed between body I and plunger 6.

From the foregoing it is clear that movement of the plunger 6 downwardly by force applied on the upper end of container I0 will effect movement of the outer end of tube II away from gasket 5 and discharge of a stream of air from port 9 transversely across the outer end of said tube to thus cause atomization and discharge of the liquid therein supplied from container I0. The stream of air carries the atomized liquid through the lateral discharge opening 2, which extends axially along said body a distance corresponding to the stroke of the plunger 6. Upon movement of the plunger upwardly by the spring I2, air flows into container I0 through the tube II to replace the liquid discharged, such inflow of air through tube I I preventing clogging thereof. Finally, the spring I2 resiliently presses the discharge orifice of said tube II into sealed engagement with gasket 5.

This form of atomizer can be operated with one hand as by grasping the body I in one hand and actuating container I0 with the thumb of the same hand, and, of course, upon releasing pressure on said container, spring I2 will automatically restore the atomizer to a position in which the contents of the container are sealed against leakage.

For retaining the discharge orifice of said tube I I and the lateral opening 2 in registry with one another, plunger 6 is slidably keyed in body I as by a screw I3 threaded into said plunger and having its end portion slidably fitting into a longitudinally extending slot I4 formed in said body.

In the purse and pocket size of atomizer just described, body I is preferably made from brass or like metal tubing, for example, decoratively polished, and plated if desired, so as .to have a pleasing appearance.

In order to obviate the necessity of such additional operations as polishing and plating on said body I, it is herein proposed to use commercial metal tubing and fit the same into a drilled hole in a case formed of transparent or translucent material such as organic plastic, such drilled hole concealing scratches and other imperfections in said body and further creating a unique frosted or luminescent effect. Said case further constitutes an enlargement of the atomized body whereby to render the atomizer more stable both by the increased size of the bottom 0f the atomizer-case combination and the lowered center of gravity thereof to thus convert the purse-type atomizer to one which may be used as a dresser accessory.

In Figs. 1 and 2 said case preferably comprises a rectangular block I 5 of transparent plastic material formed with a drilled hole I-B therethrough of a diameter and length substantially the same as that of the atomizer body I and counterbored at its lower end to a diameter and depth substantially the same as the bottom cap 3 threaded onto said body and counterbored at its upper end to a diameter substantially the same as the collar Il which is threaded onto the upper end of said body but preferably to a depth less than the axial dimension of said collar whereby the latter can be of polished and plated metal to form an attractive trim between the case and the container. As apparent, said cap 3 and collar I1 when seated against the respective shoulders or ledges formed by the intersection of hole I5 and said counterbores serve to axially iix the atomizer in said case with the container I0 exposed for convenient actuation. In lieu of a case I5 of rectangular form, as shown, the same may be of generally elliptical, scalloped, or other cross-section in a horizontal plane.

Said case I5 is formed with a lateral opening I8 registering with the lateral opening 2 in said body I, such opening I8 being flared outwardly to clear the atomized liquid which spreads out after discharged through the opening 2. The opening I8 is maintained in alignment with the lateral opening 2 in bodyv I as by the protuberance I9 on said body tting within a corresponding groove in the wall of the drilled hole I6.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 3, the atomizer body 2l) is a drawn metal shell having a closed end 2l expanded radially to provide a flange 22 corresponding to that provided by the cap 3 in the Fig. 2 construction.

In Fig. 4 is illustrated a different form of case 23 which is drilled to receive an atomizer and provided with ngerholes 24 on opposite sides of the upper end of the atomizer body 25 to thus facilitate one-hand operation of the combination even though the atomizer be of a larger size as desirable for dispensing cologne, insecticide, and like liquid. Operation of this form of the invention is eiected as by inserting the first two ngers of one hand in the ngerholes 24 and manipulating the container 26 with the thumb of the same hand.

The internal vconstruction of the atomizer in Fig. 4 is preferably substantially the same as illustrated in Fig. 2 with the case 23 formed with a flared opening 21 aligned with the lateral discharge opening in the atomizer body 25. Said body 25 is herein formed with an inturned upper end 28 for retaining the gasket carrying sleeve therein and formed at its lower end with opposed axially spaced shoulders 29 and 30 engaging corresponding shoulders or ledges formed in case 23, the last-mentioned shoulder 30 on the atomizer body being provided as by a cap 3| threaded onto the lower end of the body.

The modication illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 comprises an atomizer preferably of the same construction as described above including a body 32 provided with a lateral discharge opening 33 and with a cap 34 threaded or otherwise attached to or formed on the lower end of said body, and a base 35 preferably of organic plastic material attached to the bottom portion of the atomizer.

The base 35 has a hole 36 therethrough, counterbored as at 31, said hole being of substantially the same diameter as body 32 and said counterbore being of substantially the same diameter as the cap 34 whereby to form a seat 38 against which the upper edge of the cap is adapted to be i seated. Said base is further formed with a noncircular recess 39 at its lower end extending laterally of the counterbore for receiving a correspondingly shaped plate 40 adapted to engage the bottom of said cap 34 and thus frictionally hold the atomizer and base in assembled relation and against relative rotation upon tightening of the screws 4I which extend through said plate and are threaded into threaded holes formed in said base. As shown, said counterbore 31 is of depth less than the axial dimension of cap 34 to assure clamping of said cap against shoulder 38 and likewise the recess 39 is of depth such that the bottom surface of the plate 40 is above the bottom surface of the base wherebyto provide a flat bottom surface on said base for stably supporting the combination.

In view of the foregoing, it can now be seen that the present improvements provide attractive combinations of sturdy and stable construction in a least expensive manner and by conversion of simple cylindriform atomizers into ornamental and useful items which may be subjected to'rough handling. In addition, the use of cases of organic plastic materials render the combinations non-breakable and less apt to scratch or mar the smooth Surfaces of articles of furniture on which the combinations are kept.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such, be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In combination, an atomizer comprising a cylindrical body having enlarged ends one of which is detachable and provided with a lateral discharge opening between its ends, a container for liquid in said body provided with a discharge -i oriiice registering with such opening in said body, and an air compressing means in said body provided with an outlet passage for directing air across such orifice and toward such opening and with an actuator extending exteriorly of said body through one end of the latter, and aV case enclosing said body provided wtih a hole therethrough smaller than the enlarged ends of said body whereby said body is retained in said case upon assembly of the detachable end on said body and with a lateral opening aligned with such lateral opening in said body.

2. In combination, an atomizer comprising a cylindricaL body having enlarged ends one of which is detachable and provided with a lateral discharge opening betwen its ends, a container for liquid in said body provided with a discharge oririce registering with such opening in said body, and an air compressing means in said body provided with an outlet passage for directing air across such orice and toward such opening and with an actuator extending exteriorly of said body through one end of the latter, and a case enclosing said body provided with a hole therethrough smaller than the enlarged ends of said body whereby said body is retained in said case upon assembly of the detachable end on said body and with a lateral opening aligned with such lateral opening in said body, said case and body being provided with complementary non-circular portions for retaining such lateral openings in alignment.

3. In combination, an atomizer comprising a cylindrical body having enlarged ends one of which is detachable and provided with a lateral discharge opening between its ends, a container for liquid in said body provided with a discharge 6 orice registering with such opening in said body, and an air compressing means in said body provided with an outlet passage for directing air across such orice and toward such opening and with an actuator extending exteriorly of said body through one end of the latter, and a case of transparent plastic material having a drilled hole therethrough for receiving said body, such hole being of diameter less than the enlarged ends of said body whereby said body is retained in said case upon assembly of the detachable end on said body, said case being further formed with a lateral opening aligned with such lateral opening in said body, said case and body being provided with complementary non-circular portions for retaining such lateral openings in alignment.

4. In combination, an atomizer comprising a cylindrical body having enlarged end portions dening a peripheral groove therebetween, at least one of such end portions being detachable from said body, said body being provided with a lateral discharge opening between its ends, a container for liquid in said body provided with a discharge orice registering with such opening in said body, and an air compressing means in said body provided with an outlet passage for directing air across such orifice and toward such opening and with an actuator extending exteriorly of said body through one end of the latter, and a case surrounding said body provided with a hole therethrough which includes a portion tting into such peripheral groove and longitudinally coextensive therewith whereby said body is retained in said case upon assembly of the detachable end portion on said body and with a lateral opening aligned with such lateral opening in said body.

5. In combination, an atomizer comprising a cylindrical body provided with a lateral discharge opening between its ends, a container for liquid in said body provided with a discharge orice registering with such opening in said body, and an air compressing means in said body provided with an outlet passage for directing air across such orice and toward such opening and with an actuator extending exteriorly of said body through one end of the latter, a case surrounding said body provided with a hole therethrough for receiving said body therein with said actuator projecting through such hole in said case and with a lateral opening intersecting such hole, said case and body, together with a member detachable from one or them, defining opposed laterally overlapped surfaces for longitudinally positioning said body in said case with such lateral openings in alignment.

' G. The combination of claim 5 wherein said oase is provided with a pair of fingerholes disposed laterally on opposite sides of said atomizer.

ROME C. SEYFORTH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,524,802 Slater Feb. 3, 1925 1,990,504 Stimson Feb. 12, 1935 2,424,432 Bower July 22, 1947 2,462,563 Seyforth Feb. 22, 1949 2,468,640 Santilli Apr. 26, 1949 

